LoveReading Says
Louis Sachar’s The Magician of Tiger Castle, his debut novel for adults, confirms the author’s status as a storytelling alchemist. Set in days of old, in the waning fairy-tale-esque kingdom of Esquaveta, it brims with whimsical charm as it blurs the lines between fantasy, science and historic ambience to share a warm-hearted tale of love that exudes the special qualities of Sachar’s work for children, not least his ability to conjure unique characters.
The novel is narrated by court magician Anatole, who confesses near the start, “In hindsight, I should never have agreed to take on this project. My expertise was in the living world: plants, bugs, seal life and animals. I have never applied my magic to rocks and minerals”. As for the project, it sparked as a result of the “kingdom of Esquaveta being on the verge of bankruptcy”. While Princess Tullia is set to marry the prince of a wealthy neighbouring kingdom in order to save her father’s realm, she refuses to do so after falling madly in love with an apprentice scribe.
Into this, Anatole, whose magical powers are on the wane, finds himself facing a terrible dilemma when the king tasks him with creating a potion that will un-do Princess Tullia’s love for the scribe. While this is Anatole’s chance to “save the marriage, and thereby the kingdom, and, of course, my career”, to do so would mean cruelly betraying the princess, and betraying love itself.
With its potions, courtly quirks, and fantastical incarnation of the Renaissance, The Magician of Tiger Castle weaves a wondrous love story that feels like a soothing balm on a sultry day.
Joanne Owen
Find This Book In
| Primary Genre |
Fantasy
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The Magician of Tiger Castle Synopsis
THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ADULT NOVEL BY LOUIS SACHAR, THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CHILDREN'S FICTION AND AUTHOR OF CLASSIC NOVEL, HOLES.
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Is true love the greatest form of magic?
Long ago, in a kingdom far away, the magician of tiger castle is on thin ice. Once the greatest in the land, Anatole's spells have dried up. He can't even turn sand into gold anymore. The only one who still believes in him is kind Princess Tullia, and he hopes - for the sake of their friendship - that he can soon redeem himself and stay within the king's court.
When the opportunity arises, Anatole is faced with an impossible decision. Princess Tullia is betrothed to the prince of a rich neighbouring kingdom, an alliance which will save bankrupt Esquaveta and all its citizens. But, Tullia has secretly fallen in love with a lowly apprentice scribe and refuses to wed the prince.
The King tasks Anatole with the most difficult magic of all: an anti-love potion. Anatole can save everything and everyone if he can shatter the young lovers' romance. But, with the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, can he achieve it? Can he even bring himself to try? After all, is true love not the purest form of magic?
Told with the same wit and warmth that has made Louis Sachar's books classics of children's literature, The Magician of Tiger Castle is a colourful and enigmatic tale of adventure, love, loss and triumph.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781035426591 |
| Publication date: |
5th August 2025 |
| Author: |
Louis Sachar |
| Publisher: |
Mountain Leopard Press an imprint of Headline Publishing Group |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
320 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Fantasy
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Louis Sachar Press Reviews
'Wise and whimsical . . . I loved it' Alix E. Harrow, bestselling author of Starling House
'The kind of book that lodges itself in your heart!' Sarah Beth Durst, bestselling author of The Spellshop
About Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar has written more than 25 books for young people, including Holes, the Wayside School series, There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom and Fuzzy Mud. His books have won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal and National Book Award, and have been translated into more than 40 languages. He lives in Austin, Texas.
Julia Eccleshare, our very own editorial expert as well as Children's Books Editor of the Guardian says of Louis:
Best-selling author Louise Sachar took the world by storm with Holes, his remarkable story about a group of boys in a reform camp. But he deserves to be just as famous and popular for his many other books which display his hallmark qualities of warmth, empathy and understanding of all kinds of young readers but especially those whose lives have gone a bit awry. Young readers are immediately attracted to Louis Sachar’s novels for his great and unusual stories and for his exceptional understanding of some of the challenges of growing up.
Louis Sachar was born on 20 March 1954, in East Meadow, New York. In 1976, he went to the University of California, where he studied economics. While at university he became a teacher’s aide to gain extra credit; it turned out to be his favourite class and inspired him to write children's books. After graduation he worked in a sweater warehouse in Connecticut and wrote at night. After he was fired from that job he moved on to law school. In his first week of study, Sideways Stories from Wayside was published. After completing his studies in 1980 he became a part-time lawyer but was compelled to concentrate on his writing full-time.
Louis now lives in Austin, Texas, where he writes and plays quite a lot of bridge. His novel Holes has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and has been made into a major motion picture of the same name by Disney. Louis is the recipient of many of the world's most prestigious book prizes, including the National Book Award and the Newbery Award. Holes was also selected as the first Liverpool City Read title and won the Sheffield Book Award in the UK.
Author photo credit © Perry Hagopian
More About Louis Sachar
